Tribal Casinos Generate Record Revenue of $41.9B in 2023 Fiscal Year

Posted on: June 28, 2024, 10:34h. 

Last updated on: June 28, 2024, 10:41h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Tribal casinos in the United States generated record gross gaming revenue (GGR) of approximately $41.9 billion during the federal government’s 2023 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023).

tribal casinos gaming revenue NIGC
The more than 500 tribal casinos across the US, from large resorts like Mohegan Sun to smaller ones like the Coulee Dam Casino seen here in Washington, generated record gross gaming revenue in the 2023 fiscal year. Tribal casinos collectively won $41.9 billion from gamblers. (Image: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation)

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) in Washington, DC, told Casino.org Friday morning that tribal casinos saw their gaming win increase by $1 billion during the 12-month span. The $41.9 billion haul represented a 2.4% year-over-year improvement.

“This year’s GGR results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry,” said NIGC Acting Chair Sharon Avery.

Tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape. This steadfastness will ensure that tribal gaming remains a valuable resource for continued economic sustainability in tribal communities,” Avery added.

Avery was named acting NIGC chair after E. Sequoyah Simermeyer resigned in February for an executive role with FanDuel.

Nationwide Gains

The NIGC gaming revenue summary revealed that GGR increased in each of the federal agency’s eight metered regions. The NICG says it reviewed financial reports from more than 500 tribally owned gaming facilities in 29 states.

Of the reporting properties, just 9% relayed GGR above $250 million for the 2023 fiscal year. Those casinos accounted for 55% of the total GGR. The NIGC reported that 55% of the financial submissions were for gaming revenues of less than $25 million.  

The Sacramento region, which includes tribal gaming revenue from all Native American properties in California and Northern Nevada, was the richest region, with GGR of nearly $12 billion. Sacramento GGR was up 1.8% year over year.

The DC region, which includes tribal gaming incurred in New York, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, was second at $9.19 billion.

The St. Paul region, which includes tribal casino win from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa, was next at $5 billion. St. Paul win climbed almost 3% from fiscal year 2022.

The Portland group, inclusive of tribal gaming revenue from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, totaled $4.53 billion. The Phoenix segment, which includes tribal revenue generated in Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Colorado, reported GGR of $3.92 billion.

Midwest casinos in the regions of Tulsa (Kansas and the eastern portion of Oklahoma) and the Oklahoma City region (the western portion of Oklahoma and Texas) respectively totaled $3.56 billion and $3.21 billion.

The eighth segment — Rapid City — which encompasses tribal casinos in Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas, totaled $425.9 million. 

Record Gambling

Americans are gambling, and losing, like never before. Along with the record tribal casino revenue, the American Gaming Association in February disclosed that commercial casinos are fresh off their best year, too.

Commercial gaming operators generated GGR of $66.5 billion in 2023, an all-time high. 2023 marked the third consecutive year where commercial GGR soared to new heights.

The American Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission reports relay that Americans are losing over $100 billion gambling every 12 months.